Locking mechanism for vehicle-wheel rims.



H. MUTE. LOCKING MECHANISIVI FOR VEHICLE W HEEL RINIS v APPLICATION IFILI'D` AUGJGIJSIZ. 1,201,854.

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HORACE? or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

LOCKING MiicHii'Nisivif Fonvi-*iriioLE-WHEEL niivi's.-

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'Appncatimiiied iiigust 26,

To all whom t may concern .i v

Be it known that'I, HORACEv More, a subject of the King ofv England, residing at, Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State .of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Mechanism for Vehicle-Wheel Rims, of whichl the folf (2) depending pins or lugs interiorly thereof, with which two diagonally slotted members are adapted to engage, and under the inluence of a screw, serve to expand and strongly contract said rim-member. One of the ends ordinarily is attached to the locking-mechanism, while the other is capable. of being instantly released therefrom, when said mechanism is expanded. This construction is extremely simple, and is not yliable to get out of order; Moreover, it is exceedingly compact and powerful in its action. In View of these structural features and advantages, the device is well adapted for the purpose named, and indeed may well find additional applications o`r uses.

I will explain my invention in more de- .tail by making reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l, is a fragmentary view of a vehicle wheel, equipped with my improvenient; the demountable rim-member and locking-means being shown Vin section. Fig. 2, is an under-side fragmentary view of said rim-member, illustrating the locking mechanism in its open or expanded position, while Fig. 3, is a similar view, illustrating the closed position thereof. Fig. 4, is a perspective view of one of the diagonally slotted lock-iiig-meiiibers.

Specification of Letters ztft;

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1912. Serial No. 717,669.

. as by the shaped section c of the felly-band,

partially occupying. said recess. An interiorly channeled rim-member l a3-is adapted 'to i'it snugly over. the :telly-band, as shown in cross section Fig. l. The ends of said rim-member are split and opposing sets ofl pins e, f, are securely attached adjacent to each end; the latter being provided with 1 flanged headsg for a purpose to which I will revert. a

Retaining rings it` It, fragments of which are sho-wn in the figures, are adapted to beV mounted upon the rim-member d for'securing the pneumatic tire i place, after the manner well known in the art. These rings -are normally retained in' place by the lateral flanges orlips i formed upon the rim-meinber. However,` upon removing said rinimember from the felly, it will be appreciated that the split ends 'may be overlapped suliciently to permit the ready release of the retaining rings and tire, normally mounted thereon.

For the purpose of'suitably expanding and contracting the rim-member, I have provided the locking-mechanism, which will best be understood by referring to Fig. 2. This comprisestwo (2) laterally separable members j, lo; the latter of which is tapped to receive the transverse screw Z, extending through the central bore in member le, and the spacing sleeve m. The head of said 'screw is squared to receive-a wrench or other tool for operating the locking-mechanism.

By referring to Fig. fl, which shows an inner perspective view of one ofv said locking-members, the details and operation will be best appreciated. Two diagonal converging slots, n., 01 are shown therein, and indicated by, dotted lines in other figures, as well. These are adapted respectively to engage with two of the pins 6,4, adjacent to the split ends of the rim-member al. It will be observed that the pins f have' vflanged heads g, which are adapted to lie withinthe undercut portions of the diagonal `slots 0, thereby holding the locking-mechanism in position upon the right hand portion of the split rim-member. :The left hand slot n', however, easily accommodates the pin e so Throughout the several figuresv of the that the locking-mechanism -may be readily drawing, I have employed the same character of referencel to indicate similar parts.

The felly a of the wheel, is recessed at one ,poi-tion b, and suitably strengthened ther-eat, p

disengaged therefrom, immediately after the rim is removed from the wheel.

Bearing in mind the construction j ust explained, the operation of my improved lock- -in position upon the wheel.

ing-mechanismrequires only a few words of explanation. Y Whenthe ymembers j, la, 'are separated, as indicated in Fig.v2, the split ends of the rim-member d are forced apart, by reasonof'the action of the duplicated diverging slots, upon their coacting pins. Tightening the screw, however, causes a powerful contraction of the split rim-member`,by this same `mechanism, so that the rim-member is seated firmly upon the wheel with its 'inner channel engaging the fellyband. This contraction, however, merely causes the flanged rings k to be gripped or held by the upper portion of the rim-flanges i, whereby the tire and 'rings are held firmly While I have explained in detail the preferredronstruction or embodiment now used by me `practising my invention, I do not desire to be understood as limiting the same to the several details herein set forth, and I i wish to secure by Letters Patent, the follow- 2. In a device of theclass described, theA combination with a transversely split annular4 member, of two opposing sets of lugs,

' provided adjacent to the ends thereof, two

(2) divergently slotted locking-parts re.

spectively bridging the split ends, and engaging said lugs within their diverging slots, and a screw uniting said slotted parts,

. and adapted to effect the transverse move'- ment thereof against the lugs, whereby said split 'member may be expanded and contracted, substantially as set forth.

3. In a locking mechanism for' vehicle wheel rims, the combination with a transversely split rim, of two sets of abutments respectively secured to the split ends of the rim, two (2). divergently slotted lockingparts, normally held in position by one set of abutments, and removably engaging' .the otherl set, and a transverse screw acting upon said lparts to 'eHect their movement with respect to 'said abutments, substantially as set forth. l

4C. The combination 'with a transversely split annular member, of pins or abutments respectively provided upon the ends, a locking member having relatively inclined or .diverging slots respectively engaging said pins interiorly of its slots, and screw-mechanism adapted to effect the transverse movement of said locking-member againstv the said pins, substantially as set forth.

5. A vehicle wheel, comprising the wheelmember and aremovable split annular riml member shaped to engage the wheel peripherally, flanged 'retaining rings thereon, and locking mechanism associated with the split ends of said rim-member, comprising lugs provided upon said split ends,' a divergently slotted member engaging said lugs, and a screw device adapted to actuate said member, and separate or approximate the ends of said rim-member, substantially as set forth. i

6.- A vehicle wheel, comprising the wheelmember and its felly, of a removable split annular rim-member shaped to engage said wheel, flanged retaining rings thereon, and lockingmechanism associated with the split ends of .said 'rim-member, comprising two sets of opposinglugs, positioned adjacent to the ends of said rim-member, twd` divergently slotted parts respectively engaging two opposing lugs, and a screw acting upon said slotted parts and adapted to contract and expand said rim-member, substantially as set forth.

7 In a device of the class described, the combination witha transversely split annular tire-mounting member, of locking mechanism therefor, comprising divergently slotted parts provided adjacent to the ends of said split member, relatively fixed abutments respectively engaging said slots and -means for effecting the relative transverse movement -of said parts and abutments for contracting and expanding said split annular member, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I do now aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HORACE Mora'.

lVitnesses:

E. NicKnLs, ALBERT LYNN LAWRENCE. 

